Dallas Roofing: Article About Roof Damage From Lightning

Term explained by the roofers at Total Roofing, Dallas TX:Plywood decking

The surface of the roof underneath the shingles is referred to as decking. Because it is typically made of wood, the deck is extremely flammable and may suffer serious damage in the event of a lightning strike or fire.

Dallas roofing FAQ:What attracts lightning?

It is believed that lightning is attracted to very tall roofs and large metal objects located on a home's roof, such as a satellite dish or an HVAC unit. Even a flagpole mounted on a house can attract a lightning strike. Sometimes lightning can strike an electrical pole and follow the wire to a house's roof and burn a hole in the roof.

Total Roofing: Honest Roofers Dallas TX

A homeowner's first thought may be that lightning damage to a roof is a very rare occurrence, but statistics prove that it is not uncommon. According to the National Lightning Safety Committee, one out of every 200 houses will be struck by lightning.

If a homeowner has concerns about their roof and weather or suspects lightning damage has occurred to their roof, they should contact a Dallas roofing professional. A roofer can answer any questions and fully address any concerns the homeowner might have about roof damage caused by lightning.

A lightning strike can be extremely damaging to a home's roof. In addition, the situation can turn deadly if the strike ignites a fire on the roof or in the attic space. A lightning strike can literally blow a large hole right through the roof's structure, causing considerable damage to the shingles, plywood decking, underlayment and the rafters supporting the roof.

To make matters worse, when lightning knocks a hole in the roof during a heavy thunderstorm, the rain will pour through the hole into the attic space and beyond, causing even more damage to the home.

The roofing experts at Total roofing of Dallas TX can assist you with any questions regarding residential roofing or roof maintenance.

In Dallas, the hot summer months are the times when most heavy thunderstorms and lightning happen, but they can occur at any time of the year. Strange as it may sound, lightning can also strike when the sky is clear and blue or during a tornado.

Initially, lightning can be tempted to strike a house by the metal gutters around the roof's edge or the electrical connections that attach to the roof or near the roof. Lightning is notorious for destroying a home's electrical system as well as the roof.

Besides destroying shingles and underlayment, a lightning blast can also tear away metal flashing or chimney bricks. When lightning hits a brick chimney, the flying bricks can inflict even more damage to the roof shingles and underlayment.

If a homeowner suspects lightning has struck the roof during a storm or detects the smell of smoke inside the home, they should not open any trap doors leading into the attic to check for fire. It's important to not waste time trying to assess the situation; residents should quickly evacuate the house and call 911.

After the fire is extinguished, it's essential to contact a roofing professional to fully inspect the damage and help with the information needed for insurance claims. This is a job the homeowner definitely should leave to the professionals.

Contact Total Roofing today

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